Unsafe bus from Malawi was taken off the road on the N1 Limpopo

An unroadworthy bus travelling from Malawi to Gauteng was removed from the road during a routine traffic inspection on the N1 near Polokwane, Limpopo, on Monday evening.

The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety confirmed that the vehicle posed a serious threat to passenger safety and other road users.

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Officials discovered that the bus was operating with a fake licence disc that did not correspond with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the manufacturer’s plate. Further checks revealed that the operating licence had expired on 31 July 2025, rendering the bus illegally operational.

In a more alarming finding, inspectors noted that two wheels were missing from the driving axle, significantly compromising the vehicle’s stability and safety. Authorities immediately ordered the bus off the road to prevent a potential tragedy.

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The driver and the bus operator are expected to face further investigation and possible legal action.

The department has reiterated its commitment to intensified road safety inspections to curb reckless and illegal transport operations, particularly on major routes such as the N1.